AppleCare+ Explained: How Much Does It Cost and Is It Worth the Price? (2024)

When you see the offer to purchase AppleCare+ along with your Apple product, you might wonder whether the peace of mind is worth the additional cost on top of an already expensive device. We'll walk you through what AppleCare+ covers, how much it costs, and whether AppleCare+ is worth it.

What Is AppleCare?

AppleCare is Apple's first-party warranty plan for its devices. Most Apple products come with a one-year warranty against defects and three months of technical support—this is called AppleCare.

AppleCare+ is Apple's extended warranty that covers your devices for a longer period. You can purchase it to protect your Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple display, Apple headphones, Apple TV, HomePod, or Apple Vision Pro.

Generally, I advise against buying extended warranties for electronics. They're usually just a way for the seller to make more money, since with most devices, you'll probably replace them before something goes bad.

However, AppleCare+ is a special case because it also covers accidental damage, which we'll discuss shortly. Further setting it apart from the average warranty is Apple's tight control over its products. Since the company designs the hardware, OS, and many apps for its devices, having a warranty from the same source is an attractive idea.

How Do I Get AppleCare+?

When you buy an Apple product from the company's website or in an Apple Store, you have the opportunity to add an AppleCare+ plan.

If you decide you want AppleCare+ later, you can do so within 60 days of your purchase. On iPhone or iPad, you can buy AppleCare+ right from your device. Head to Settings > General > About and tap Add AppleCare+ Coverage; this also shows how many days you have left to purchase coverage.

Another option is to visit the AppleCare purchase page. Click Buy now, sign in with your Apple account, and choose the Apple product you want to cover. You'll need to enter the serial number of your device and run a remote diagnostic to confirm it's in good shape. If none of these options work for you, you can visit an Apple Store with proof of purchase (Apple will inspect your iPhone for issues).

Not sure if you already have AppleCare+? Head to Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty on your iPhone or iPad, or sign into Apple's My Support page. There, you can check the status of all your devices.

What Does AppleCare+ Cover?

As mentioned, AppleCare+ acts as an extension of your complimentary warranty, while also providing coverage for accidental damage. It covers the entire device, including the battery—if the battery falls below 80% of its original capacity (outside of normal battery health wear and tear), Apple will replace it. AppleCare+ also covers any Apple-branded accessories you bought with the device, such as an Apple Pencil for your iPad.

Every plan includes unlimited fixes for accidental damage, though you must pay a deductible depending on the type of service. All repairs are done by Apple-authorized technicians, using genuine Apple parts.

When you need service, you can bring your device to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. For small devices like an iPhone, iPad, or MacBook, you can instead mail them to Apple using a prepaid shipping box. For larger devices, you can have a technician come to you or have a shipping company pick up your device. And for some devices, Apple offers Express Replacement Service, where you're shipped a replacement device to use while you wait on the repair.

Your purchase also includes 24/7 support via online chat or phone call. If you have questions on how to use your device or Apple apps, you can get support from Apple experts.

Coverage starts on your AppleCare+ purchase date. Depending on the device, you may have the choice to subscribe on an ongoing basis by paying monthly or yearly, or buy a prepaid plan for two or three years. The specifics of AppleCare+ vary slightly depending on the device covered, which we discuss for each product below.

AppleCare+ Details and Pricing Per Device

Below, we explain the basics of what AppleCare+ offers for each device, as well as how much its plans cost. Because prices vary by the exact model, we've provided a range to give you an idea, rather than an exhaustive list.

AppleCare+ for Mac (and Apple Displays)

AppleCare+ for Mac provides two plan options: coverage paid annually until you cancel, or three years of coverage paid upfront. If you take your Mac in for accidental damage, Apple charges you $99 to fix the screen or external enclosure, or $299 for anything else.

Items covered under warranty include the battery, power adapter, RAM, and similar. If you buy an Apple display for your Mac, you can protect that with a three-year plan or annual coverage too. The service prices are the same as other Mac repairs.

Pricing: From $34.99/year (Mac mini) to $179.99/year (Mac Pro)

AppleCare+ for iPhone

Apple offers two AppleCare+ plans for your iPhone. The first is standard AppleCare+, where service visits cost you $29 to fix the screen or back glass, and $99 for anything else.

For deeper coverage, Apple also offers the AppleCare+ with Theft and Loss plan. This includes everything in the standard plan, plus coverage if your iPhone is lost or stolen. As long as you have Find My iPhone enabled at the time of the incident, you can get a replacement device for a $149 deductible.

With either plan, you can choose to pay upfront for two years of service or pay monthly until you cancel. Paying for two years outright is less expensive than going month-to-month.

Standard Pricing: From $3.99/month (iPhone SE 3rd generation) to $9.99/month (iPhone 15 Pro series)

Pricing with Theft and Loss: From $7.49/month (iPhone SE 3rd generation) to $13.49/month (iPhone 15 Pro series)

AppleCare+ for iPad

Like iPhone, you can purchase AppleCare+ for your iPad for two years or at an ongoing monthly rate. The plan includes coverage for your iPad's battery and all included cables. In addition, the plan covers your Apple Pencil and Apple-branded iPad keyboards, if applicable.

For the iPad or iPad Mini, Apple charges $49 to fix any damage. If you have an iPad Air or iPad Pro, you'll pay $29 to fix the screen and $99 for anything else. Finally, the charge is $29 for an accessory fix.

Pricing: From $3.49/month (iPad) to $8.49/month (iPad Pro M4 13-inch)

AppleCare+ for Apple Watch

AppleCare+ for the Apple Watch is available in a two-year plan (three years for the Apple Watch Hermès) or ongoing monthly coverage. This includes the device and its battery. Apple charges a fee of $69 ($79 for the Apple Watch Ultra or Hermès) for repair services.

Pricing: From $2.49/month (Apple Watch SE) to $4.99/month (Apple Watch Ultra 2)

AppleCare+ for Apple TV

AppleCare+ for Apple TV protects your Apple TV unit, its power cord, and the Siri Remote. Each damage instance is covered for a $15 fee. The only payment option is upfront.

Pricing: $29 for three years

AppleCare+ for HomePod

If you want to protect your HomePod with AppleCare+, you'll pay a flat fee for two years of protection. Each service visit for accidental damage costs $15 for the HomePod mini or $39 for the standard HomePod.

Pricing: $15 (HomePod mini) or $39 (HomePod) for two years

AppleCare+ for AirPods and Beats

All forms of AirPods (plus Beats sold by Apple) are eligible for AppleCare+ protection. The plan lasts two years and covers the device, battery, and charging cables. Service repairs cost $29 per visit. Like the other less expensive devices, this plan requires full payment upfront.

Pricing: $29 (AirPods, AirPods Pro, and Beats) or $59 (AirPods Max) for two years

AppleCare+ for Apple Vision Pro

If you're interested in the ultra-expensive Apple Vision Pro (our Vision Pro review), AppleCare+ is available to protect your investment. Coverage includes the device and battery, plus its cable. Damaged accessories come at a $29 fee, while all damage to the device itself costs $299 to repair.

Pricing: $24.99/month or $499 for two years

Is AppleCare+ Worth It?

If AppleCare+ were just a warranty, I would easily recommend against it. The chance of a defect affecting your device after the standard warranty ends isn't high, especially with Apple products that are known for their high quality. And the support service for questions isn't that important, due to the wealth of information available online.

This means that for most people, AppleCare+ providing unlimited fixes for accidental damage is the main draw. Depending on how careful you are with your devices, this may work out in your favor, since fixing most Apple devices yourself is near-impossible.

Comparing Repair Prices

Taking a look at Apple's iPhone repair page provides a good idea of what you'll pay for out-of-warranty fixes compared to AppleCare+ coverage.

An iPhone screen repair, for instance, costs $29 with AppleCare+ no matter what device you have. But without coverage, for a cracked front screen, you'd pay anywhere from $129 for an iPhone SE (3rd generation) to $379 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

"Other damage," which includes anything aside from the battery, screen, back glass, and camera, is more costly. It's $99 regardless of device with AppleCare+, but can cost anywhere from $299 for an iPhone SE (3rd generation) up to a whopping $699 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

AppleCare's Value

Taking all this into account, whether you should get AppleCare+ depends on how accident-prone you are and what device you're protecting.

Say you buy a new iPhone every two years and expect to crack the screen once per phone. AppleCare+ coverage for an iPhone 15 costs $149 upfront, plus $29 for the repair. Without this, you'd pay $279 out of pocket for the repair.

Thus, if you crack your iPhone's screen even once during its life, AppleCare+ provides a good value. Cracked glass is more of a concern now, since modern iPhones are all-screen on the front and have glass backs as well.

Consider what device you're buying and whether you expect to accidentally damage it. Rather than AppleCare, it may be more cost-effective to set aside some money each month for repairs. Then, if you don't damage your device, you'll have that money for something else. You might also want to compare the prices of other places that repair Apple devices. Just be aware that non-Apple certified sources may not use genuine parts, which can lead to more problems.

Usually, if you can afford to replace something, it isn't worth insuring. But the peace of mind might be worth it to you.

There Are AppleCare+ Alternatives

AppleCare+ isn't the only way to protect your device. If you tend to drop it often, get a protective case to keep it safe from damage. This costs a fraction of a warranty's price and you can choose from hundreds of cases with varying levels of protection.

Whatever you choose, know your typical usage and calculate the costs first. If you've never dropped an iPhone or had a Mac hardware defect in the past, it's probably not worth the high cost to cover something that, in all likelihood, won't happen.

If you can't live without the comfort a protection plan brings, you might consider another smartphone warranty instead. Some credit cards offer increased warranty protection on tech purchases, while a cheaper plan might be available through your carrier or a third-party company.